Country Living -- A Luxury??

There is no question that we are currently living in trying times filled with a ton of uncertainty when we look into the future which is why many might think purchasing a country home now is absolutely ludacris. There is a heated debate going on at a local Sullivan county real estate blog about this very topic.....it inspired me to touch upon it here.

I started thinking to myself what does owning a second home and in this case a country home really mean? It's obvious no one NEEDS a second home....but the idea of one is certainly alluring. For many Manhattanites, it's a necessary respite from all the craziness that is part of the daily repetoire of the concrete jungle. It's an opportunity to connect with nature, create long-lasting memories for our children and in many cases add a few more years to our lives because we are able to completely disconnect from stress.

NYC can be extremely expensive..you can easily spend a bunch of dollars on day to day nonsense so why would it be such a stretch to channel those wasted dollars into something of more value...thus, the arguement begins...to buy or not to buy during these times?? I think now is the perfect time to buy in Sullivan and Wayne counties...listing prices are dropping and you can buy a home "right" vs. the over inflated prices we have seen the past few years. Local banks who didn't partake in the free for all have plenty of their own money to lend and mortgage interest rates are low.

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer...it's very much a quality of life decision....for me, I can't wait to sip my first glass of merlot on our rocking chair porch while watching the sunset this summer....

If you are interested in checking out some of the comments click here.

Tech Girl

Our New Old Home--

We did it!!! We finally closed on our farmhouse last Friday which is why I had taken a brief hiatus from posting. The whole day was so surreal......

It was a beautiful sunny day with temps in the high 30's which is a gift for this time of year. We had a late afternoon close which allowed us to do a brief walk through on the property. When my husband and I walked in we were taken away all over again... I guess we had forgotten how much potential the old gal has. We arrived at the attorney's office around 3pm....at the end they handed us a bottle of homemade cider and the keys.

Wow, I thought...what next?

After heading into the town of Honesdale and purchasing some basics we returned to our new old home. The kitchen is so much nicer than I remember it to be...I quickly delved into cooking our first meal. My son was so happy! He made himself right at home by setting his train tracks in the sunroom.

Seeing his reaction to this new journey only confirmed that we made the right decision...

I look forward to our days ahead.



Tech Girl

Amor in the Catskills---When Design Meets Yesteryear

Well it's about that time of year when roses and Hallmark take center stage and men get ready to spend a good chunk of change to find that perfect gift or restaurant. Where to go and what to do will be the big topic of the day especially for those wooing a new love....at this stage it's the Super Bowl of date night so men usually display their very best skills for that particular evening. This year we have the luxury of a long weekend so why bother spending $300 dollars on dinner at Buddakan when you can take a short 2 hour drive up north and warm up in front of a crackling fire. Here is one Sullivan County inn that is sure to melt any heart this Valentines day.

What happens when a designer stumbles across an old worn down inn? Absolute magic! The Old North Branch Inn was originally built in the 1860's and was a respite for people getting out of the city and its summer heat. Victoria Lesser found the old gem while looking for a part time residence in Sullivan County. After spending a big portion of her savings, the result was a breathtaking renovation. The rooms offer modern amenities with a flavor of yesteryear.....


We stopped in for lunch during Fourth of July weekend. Their restaurant wine bar is called Baxter's (named after her adorable pug)..... there is a grand bar area, old bowling alley and tables/lounge area mindfully set throughout the first floor.


Leonardo DiCaprio was staying there that weekend with his mother...not uncommon in these parts as it is one of the few places they can go without being followed by the stalkarazzi and crazed fans. Victoria has a blog on her website that keeps customers up to date with upcoming activities at Baxster's. Her latest entry talks about her new screening room that can be used for events with old theater seating from Radio City Music Hall!

All this fabulousness at an extremely affordable price. Her rates are well below $200 a night....so take the drive to a winter wonderland...where the memories will certainly surpass any $20 dollar martini that Manhattan has to offer!

Enjoy!

Tech Girl